Writing instrument



1939- J. J. DEVINE 2,184,585

WRITING INSTRUMENT Original Filed Sept. 24, '19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Attorneys Dec. 26, 1939. J. J. DEVINE WRITING INSTRUMENT Original Filed Sept. 24', 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Attorneys Patented Dec. 26, 1939 Application September 24, 1937, .Serial No. 165,583 Renewm November 8, 1939 This invention relates to illuminated writin instrument of the type embodying a pencil associated with a companion or self-contained flashlight, and the purpose of the invention is to provide a structural assemblage characterized by appreciable features of refinement and improvement regarded more aptly fitted for the purposes intended, whereby to provide a novel contribution to this particular line of endeavor.

1% As implied by the preceding introductory statement it'is my primary aim to generally improve upon known patented and marketed flashlight-pencils by providing a structural arrangement possessed of features ofnewness readily discernible as well directed structural distinctions and commercial advantages.

Briefly stated, in reducing to practice the preferred embodiment of the invention I have perfected an assemblage of parts including a transparent rotatable conical cap so mounted and associated with the projectible and retractible lead pencil as to feed the lead out and switch on the lamp bulb at a single operation.

A further structural feature has to do with the adoption and use of a circuit make and break device wherein the spring contacts have the additional function of brake shoes to facilitate main--' taining the rotary conical cap against accidental rotation when carried in the pocket and not in so use.

Additional novelty is predicated upon the sectlonal shell forming the enclosure or casing for the several parts.

In addition to this a well directed improvement is calculated to reside in the adoption and use of the bulb adapter unit or mounting so made as to have the additional function of a supplementary lead-containing magazine.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the. drawings, wherein like numerals are,

(Si. firth-6.48)

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are transverse enlarged sections taken on the planes of the lines L-d, 5--5 and 8-6, respectively of Figure 2.

Figure '1 is a detail view of a fragmentary elevationai type which may be said to be taken 5 somewhat on the plane 0! the indicated line 1-1 appearing in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail of the threaded end portion of the transparent barrel.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguish- 10' ing reference numerals it will be observed that the cylindrical shell or casing for the dry cell battery 9 is denoted by the numeral ill. At the closed end thereof is the customary current conducting and projecting coiled spring ll. The 145 spring projects the contact button H on the battery into the internally screw-threaded coupling or jointing member 53 formed at the open end of said shell.

The screw-threaded right-hand end of the w transparent preferably glass cylinder 16, that is, the end it is threaded into the coupling 63. The threaded end portion is provided with an outstanding annular bead IS forming a shoulder. On its interior and intermediate its ends the 25 cylinder is provided with a circular abutment rib ii. The reduced jointing neck l8 on the conical glass or transparent cap it is fitted telescopically and rotatably into the left-hand end of said cylinder M. On the inner surface of so this neck It I provide circumferentially spaced inlaid metal circuit-making contact elements 20. These constitute the so-called relatively movable contacts. Calling attention now to Figure 7 it will be observed that a suitable guide 2! serves 85 as a holder for the spring metal relatively stationary contact strips 22 and, 28. The laterally directed spring-like end portions 24 terminate .in curled terminals 28 which form brushes for wiping contact with the segmental movable con- 40- tacts 2a. The inherent resiliency of the ends 24 serve to press the terminal curls It tightly against the inner surface oi the neck It utilizing this coordination of features as a sort of a friction brake to hold the conical cap. iii against as accidental rotationwhen the device is carried in the pocket and the switch is oil it is desired that these brake shoes 2! guard against accidental turning'and illumination.

The projectible and retractile lead pencil comprises a stationary casing 26 held in place by supporting spiders 21. The tapered end of the casing fits into the correspondingly tapered portion of the cap and the feeder projects through and beyond the apex of the can. This feeder 28 d8 is of non-circular shape in cross section and passes through a similar-shaped hole in the end of the cap and is attached at its inner end to the screw 30 which is rotatabiy arranged in the casing 20. The feeder 28 carries a lead 29 which projects from the outer end oi the feeder. By turning the cap and said feeder 28 and screw 30 as a unit in relation to the fixed casing 26 the lead 29 is projected or retracted as the case may be. At the same time the circuit is closed when the contacts and are brought into matching relationship.

At this time attention is invited to the adapter insert 31 shown to advantage in Figure 2. This comprises a metal cylinder formed at one end into a reflector 32 to accommodate the bulb 33. This end abuts the stop rib II. Incidentally the .numeral 34 merely designates an outwardly bowed retaining spring which fits against the inner surface of the barrel H to aid in avoiding accidental mispiacement or endwise slippage of the part 3|. This part 3| serves as a holder for the bulb and the contact end of the bulb indicated at 35 projects beyond it and is in engagement with the button l2. As shown in Figure 6 this part 31 is provided with sockets having rubber bushings 35 mounted therein which bushings serve as receptacles for extra sticks of lead as indicated at 31. Consequently, the part 3| serves as a holder or mounting for the bulb and also as a magazine for a supply of lead.

With the parts assembled as shown in Figure 2 it is obvious that by grasping the roughened external or knurled surface 38 of the conical cap and turning it, this simple single operation serves not only to close the circuit but also projects the pencil lead 29 into writing position. It follows,

therefore, that the light beam from the bulb shines through the cap and illuminates the surface of the paper enabling the pencil to be used in darkness.

It may be added in conclusion that the elongated metal contact strip distinguished by the numeral 39 in Figure 3 has its free end portion extending through an aperture in the barrel and along the outer surface. of the barrel where it goes through an aperture in the bead l8 permitting it to have grounding connection with the metal casing III. This is the manner in which the electric circuit is completed.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

What is claimed is:

A writing instrument of the class described comprising a casing, atransparent cap of substantially conical shape-rotatably engaging one end of the casing, a writing point carried by thev outer end of the cap. means for projecting and retracting said writing point by turning movement of the cap, an electric lamp in the casing,

a battery in the casing, a pair of conductors in the casing one connected with the lamp and the other with the battery, the front ends of said conductors being spaced apart and being of spring material to frictionally engage a portion of the cap and a contact strip carried by the cap for bridging said spaced ends of the conductors when the cap is in one position and being moved out of engagement with said ends when the cap is in another position.

JOHN J. DEVINE. 

